Nurse Midwifery: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Nurse Midwifery is a specialized field within advanced nursing practice focused on providing comprehensive, evidence-based care to women throughout the reproductive lifecycle. This program equips registered nurses with the clinical expertise and decision-making skills necessary to manage low-risk pregnancies, deliver babies, and support maternal and newborn health across the continuum of care.
- Prenatal Care and Risk Assessment: In-depth study of maternal health monitoring, fetal development tracking, and identifying potential complications to ensure optimal outcomes during pregnancy.
- Physician Collaboration and Referral Protocols: Training in timely and appropriate communication with physicians and other healthcare providers when clinical thresholds are exceeded.
- Normal Labor and Delivery Management: Mastery of physiological processes during childbirth, including pain management, labor progression monitoring, and non-interventional delivery techniques.
- Immediate Newborn Care: Clinical instruction in the stabilization, assessment, and initial care of newborns during and immediately after birth, including resuscitation and screening procedures.
- Postpartum and Family-Centered Support: Focus on physical recovery, emotional well-being, and lactation support for mothers, along with guidance for new parents.
Nurse Midwifery Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Nurse Midwifery Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Nurse Midwifery degrees, including Nurse Midwives and Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 82,530 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Midwives 29-1161 | $128,790 | $74,670 - $177,040 | 8,280 | $61.92 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1072 | $79,940 | $47,950 - $130,040 | 74,250 | N/A |
Nurse Midwifery Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $63,940 in South Dakota to $147,855 in California—a 131% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 82,530 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Nurse Midwifery by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 25 institutions offering Nurse Midwifery programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Nurse Midwifery is found at Frontier Nursing University (FNU) (305 graduates), University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (41 graduates), Vanderbilt University (VU) (25 graduates), Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) (21 graduates), and Bethel University (19 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 559 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Nursing University (FNU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
305 | Versailles, Kentucky | Private | frontier.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
|
41 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Master's
|
25 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
21 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttuhsc.edu |
| Bethel University |
Master's
|
19 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | bethel.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
19 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University |
Master's
|
18 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | downstate.edu |
| Baylor University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
18 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Emory University |
Master's
|
15 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Post-Master's
|
12 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
|
10 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
9 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
8 | Portland, Oregon | Public | ohsu.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
7 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
5 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Marquette University |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Fairfield University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
2 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Master's
|
2 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
2 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
1 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Wilson College |
Master's
|
1 | Chambersburg, Pennsylvania | Private | wilson.edu |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) |
Master's
|
1 | Buckhannon, West Virginia | Private | wvwc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Nurse Midwifery programs
How much can I earn with a Nurse Midwifery degree?
Salaries for Nurse Midwifery graduates vary by role and location. Nurse Midwives earn a median of $128,790 annually, while Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $79,940. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $147,855 compared to $63,940 in South Dakota. Approximately 82,530 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Nurse Midwifery programs?
Currently 25 accredited institutions offer Nurse Midwifery degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Frontier Nursing University (FNU) (305 graduates), University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (41 graduates), and Vanderbilt University (VU) (25 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Nurse Midwifery growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 135 in 2010 to 559 in 2023-24. This represents a 314% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Nurse Midwifery degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Nurse Midwives, Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 82,530 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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